The planet is witnessing the harmful effects of climate change, more so now than ever. The pandemic has brought critical ESG issues to the forefront and has made companies, investors, shareholders, and employees address the irreversible impact of environmental damage. As a result, investors and companies are looking for professionals with a solid understanding of ESG and how it affects their investments and a company's organisational performance concerning sustainable development.

So, how does an ESG certification help professionals stand out in the competitive job market? What are the future career options one can choose after acquiring an ESG certification? Let's delve into the subject.

Employability

With the rise in technological advancements, every career is undergoing immense changes to align and better position itself in the market. An ESG certification helps individuals understand the real world of investing, emphasising environmental, social, and governance factors in their skillset. It helps professionals acquire knowledge on environmental sustainability and develop important skills to help them stand out as potential candidates in the ever-competitive job market. Along with it, professionals can easily demonstrate their knowledge and skillset to a potential company on managing ESG-related issues or give consultation regarding them.

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Explore career options

With an ESG certification, professionals can explore a wide range of career options they might not have been aware of earlier. They can opt for jobs in various fields such as finance, government, risk management, and energy. Additionally, professionals wanting to explore more in the financial sector can make their way into it with designations such as CFA, CAIA, FRM, and IMC. While professionals already in the finance sector can help accelerate their career growth and move into senior positions. 

Professionals with different careers, such as sales and distribution, product developers, wealth managers, financial advisors, and risk managers, can also benefit by improving their overall knowledge and understanding of ESG issues. Besides these benefits, professionals can take up specialised jobs like an ESG advisor or associate, ESG sales and delivery manager, ESG analyst, Sustainability Director or Director of Sustainable Finance, ESG Manager, and much more.

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Globally Certified

Another important benefit of having an ESG certification is that professionals gain a certification recognised globally and acknowledged by top leading firms worldwide. Professionals gain a digital qualification and earn a badge from a recognised place which helps companies identify their competency in responsible investment and can help companies measure their progress in attaining ESG goals. 

Various institutions across the world offer a certificate in ESG investing. However, it depends upon the individual's choice of which area of ESG they are interested in and the eligibility criteria for pursuing the said certification. Along with this, professionals also need to consider factors like scheduling their time and whether they want to pursue a full-time course or a part-time one, the cost of the course, and the relevance of the course in the present time. Regardless of which certification course one might opt for, a certification from a well-known institute will always come in handy for professionals in the long run.

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Value for money

Getting ESG certified ensures that professionals have invested their time, money, and energy into a unique course that gives practical qualifications compared to just theoretical knowledge on the subject. 

Along with providing extensive knowledge into ESG investing, it also ensures that the individual has learned a practical skill that will be used in the long run as companies are actively looking for professionals specialised in ESG sustainability areas like green finance and responsible sustainability investment. It is a definite way to upskill your skillset with environmental, social, and governance goals in mind, which has become a significant cause of concern for investors, stakeholders, and companies alike.

Conclusion 

Becoming an ESG-certified professional allows you to delve into multiple career options. However, an essential formal qualification in the investment industry and investment process would benefit a better understanding of integrating ESG factors into our daily lives. A career in environmental, social, and governance might sound interesting. 

Still, it requires an individual's passion, commitment, and determination to become ESG certified. They need to hone their skills and showcase them in front of key stakeholders, investors, and companies. While the potential and market demand for professionals qualified in ESG skills is skyrocketing, it has become the need of the hour for professionals to take action towards sustainable living. So, get started now. 

Take a look at some exciting ESG courses and enroll yourself in one now! Give your career a much needed boost.